Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
Axminster and District Choral Society is inviting music lovers to enjoy a festive evening of French choral music as it welcomes the Christmas season with a special concert at Axminster Minster on Saturday, 5th December.
The programme promises a joyful celebration of traditional Christmas music, featuring two works by French composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier.
Among the highlights will be his celebrated ‘Te Deum’, whose stirring opening prelude will be familiar to many from its use as the theme music for the Eurovision Song Contest. Its triumphant trumpets have also made it a popular choice for wedding celebrations and other ceremonial occasions.
The concert will also feature Charpentier’s ‘Messe de Minuit’ (Midnight Mass), a particularly charming work which weaves traditional French Christmas carol melodies into the familiar words of the Mass, creating a distinctive blend of festive warmth and classical grandeur.
The choir will be accompanied, as usual, by professional soloists and orchestral musicians, adding to what promises to be an uplifting musical occasion in the historic setting of Axminster Minster.
The concert forms part of an ongoing programme of performances by the society, which is already looking ahead to an exciting year of music in 2027.
Its spring concert will feature works by Austrian composer Joseph Haydn, while the summer programme will take a different musical direction with George Spearing’s jazz-influenced settings of Shakespeare songs.
The society welcomes new audiences and invites anyone interested in finding out more about its concerts and activities to visit its website.
Tickets and further information are available at www.axminsterchoral.co.uk
( Photo: A&DCS 📸 )